Filing a claim following a car accident is important, as it is the only way the victim can recover what they lost. Winning a car accident claim depends on many factors. Without these factors, your case will be just your words against the defendant’s words.
A car accident claim process involves proving the negligence of the defendant and that you sustained losses due to their negligence. Lawyers who have experience in handling personal injury cases can help you in this regard. They can use their experience and expertise to prove the elements of personal injury law.
5 Factors That Can Improve Your Car Accident Claim
Many factors help your case. Some more than others. Here are the most important factors that can help your case:
- Having a lawyer by your side
- Prompt medical attention
- Documentation of your expenses
- Witness statements
- Expert witness opinion
Having a Lawyer by Your Side
The first and most important factor that can help your case is having a lawyer by your side. Personal injury lawyers know how they can help you win the case. They help in gathering evidence, proving negligence, calculating your losses, negotiating with insurance companies, and obtaining fair compensation for your losses. Now, most of the things mentioned are not achievable without the help of an attorney. To be honest, if you don’t have an attorney, insurance companies will not take your case seriously.
Prompt Medical Attention
Getting prompt medical attention is important for many reasons. First, it is good for your health. It is also good for your case. If you didn’t visit a doctor, then the insurance company will claim that you intentionally avoided medical care to worsen your injuries. By getting medical care, you can prove that you have sustained injuries. Your medical bills can also be estimated. You can use this info when you file a claim.
Documentation of Your Expenses
Next up, you need to document your expenses. It is great evidence that can help in calculating your losses. You need to collect bills, even if it is just a minor expense. Medical bills are the biggest expense you will incur following an accident. The second biggest bill would be the property repair expenses if any property was damaged in the accident. You can collect all these bills and add them together to calculate your losses.
Witness Statements
Witness statements are a huge part of any personal injury case. Witness statements have more weight since there is no bias. They will have a third-person perspective and know who caused the accident. Witnesses of an accident can confirm the victim’s story if it is true. Witnesses can help more if the case goes to trial. They can be used to convince the judge and the jury.
Expert Witness Opinion
Witnesses with expert status are people who know a lot about a certain field but don’t have to witness the accident. Even a doctor can act as an expert witness. For example, a doctor can give their opinion on how severe the victim’s injuries are and how long they’ll be out of work. The judge and jury will trust the expert’s opinion more than normal witnesses. Having a lawyer by your side can help you get expert opinions. Experienced lawyers will have connections with many experts whose opinions can help your case.
Takeaway
Personal injury cases take effort to win. But you don’t have to make that effort if you have a lawyer by your side. Immediately following a car accident, you should hire an experienced attorney. The other factors on the list can also help you to a great extent. Follow all these steps to make sure you win your claim.
